Friends of Guest House honored the graduates of its After-Care Program in the Chapel of the Alfred Street Baptist Church. Ten beaming women lined up to receive the certificates signifying successful completion of the Guest House program – truly a step in the right direction. “Congratulations Graduates” was the theme as the ex-offenders, many of whom had never experienced a commencement ceremony, paid tribute to the improvement Guest House made in their lives.

Guest House Board Member Dick Schwartz initiated events by lauding staff for their commitment to providing a safe haven for program participants. Moments of the ceremony were emotionally charged; current GH resident Lorri Carter’s performance of Michael Jackson’s “Will You Be There” prompted one graduate to remark on this as being the “best day of my life.” The women spoke of the transformation that occurred during their time at Guest House, whose curriculum acts to assists females recently released from confinement with a strong desire to break the cycle of incarceration.

In his keynote speech, the Honorable Darrell E. Graham (EEOC) encouraged the graduates to remember this transformation through their commitment topositive change and challenged them to move forward in LIFE: Live It, Improve It, Face It and Embrace It.

More than 100 community supporters and volunteers attended a reception following the ceremony.